Best Betting Sites in Ireland 2024
Irish betting sites are among the best in the world. When you check out our list of top Irish sites, you’ll find competitive odds, an array of betting markets, in-play options and many more features. We’ve been really impressed with what we’ve found, so read on as we get into the details of the best Irish sports betting sites.
TOP 60 ONLINE BETTING SITES IRELAND
Found: 63 Bookmakers
Rank | Bookmaker | Bonus | Claim | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Boomerang-bet.com |
100% Welcome bonus up to €100 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Boomerang-bet.com website | |
2 |
Dream.bet |
100% Welcome bonus up to €100 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Dream.bet website | |
3 |
Hot.bet |
100% Welcome bonus up to €150 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Hot.bet website | |
4 |
Betibet |
100% Welcome bonus up to €1500 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Betibet website | |
5 |
Quickwin |
100% Welcome bonus up to €100 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Quickwin website | |
6 |
Betovo |
100% Welcome bonus up to €250 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Betovo website | |
7 |
Tikitaka |
100% bonus up to 50€ 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Tikitaka website | |
8 |
Trivelabet |
200% bonus up to 1,000€ 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Trivelabet website | |
9 |
Playfina |
100% Welcome bonus up to €200 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Playfina website | |
10 |
BetBeast |
200% Welcome bonus up to €500 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to BetBeast website | |
11 |
RealSpin |
100% Welcome bonus up to €100 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to RealSpin website | |
12 |
Dolfwin |
100% Welcome bonus up to €250 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Dolfwin website | |
13 |
1Bet |
100% Welcome bonus up to €100 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to 1Bet website | |
14 |
TonyBet |
100% Welcome bonus up to €100 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to TonyBet website | |
15 |
NitroBet |
200% Welcome bonus up to €500 + 100 Free Spins 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to NitroBet website | |
16 |
M88 |
100% Welcome bonus up to €444 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to M88 website | |
17 |
Lunubet |
25% Welcome bonus up to €100 in Free Bets 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Lunubet website | |
18 |
50 crowns |
25% Welcome bonus up to €100 in Free Bets 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to 50 crowns website | |
19 |
Boomerang-bet.io |
200% Welcome bonus up to €3000 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Boomerang-bet.io website | |
20 |
Mr. Pacho |
100% Welcome bonus up to €100 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Mr. Pacho website | |
21 |
Vegas Mobile Casino |
Bet €10 & Get €20 in Free Bets 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Vegas Mobile Casino website | |
22 |
Slotuna |
100% Welcome bonus up to €100 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Slotuna website | |
23 |
Ucobet |
Welcome bonus up to €300 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Ucobet website | |
24 |
Boomerang Casino |
100% Welcome bonus up to €100 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Boomerang Casino website | |
25 |
Lamabet |
100% Welcome bonus up to €1500 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Lamabet website | |
26 |
Spinoli |
100% Welcome bonus up to €100 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Spinoli website | |
27 |
Velobet |
150% Welcome bonus up to €/$1000 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Velobet website | |
28 |
Zotabet |
100% Welcome bonus up to €150 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Zotabet website | |
29 |
Playio |
100% Welcome bonus up to €100 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Playio website | |
30 |
Spinbetter |
100% Welcome bonus up to €100 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Spinbetter website | |
31 |
21LuckyBet |
Bet €20 & Get €40 in Free Bets 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to 21LuckyBet website | |
32 |
Sportuna |
100% Welcome bonus up to €100 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Sportuna website | |
33 |
Sportaza |
100% Welcome bonus up to €100 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Sportaza website | |
34 |
Pribet |
100% Welcome bonus up to €100 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Pribet website | |
35 |
Weltbet |
100% Welcome bonus up to €200 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Weltbet website | |
36 |
Bzeebet |
100% Welcome bonus up to €100 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Bzeebet website | |
37 |
Fairspin |
100% Welcome bonus up to 100,000 USDT 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Fairspin website | |
38 |
Dachbet |
100% Welcome bonus up to €100 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Dachbet website | |
39 |
SG Casino |
100% Welcome bonus up to €100 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to SG Casino website | |
40 |
Olympusbet |
100% Welcome bonus up to €100 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Olympusbet website | |
41 |
20Bet |
100% Welcome bonus up to €100 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to 20Bet website | |
42 |
N1bet |
1500€ Welcome package 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to N1bet website | |
43 |
GoldenBet |
Get Every 4th Ticket as a GIFT in Sports 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to GoldenBet website | |
44 |
The Online Casino |
Bet €10 & Get €10 in Free Bets 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to The Online Casino website | |
45 |
LVBET |
Bet €10 & Get €10 in Free Bets 18+ | Min. dep. €10 req. | Min. €10 wag. on the first bet with min. total odds of 1/1 to qualify | T&Cs apply | gamblingtherapy.org 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to LVBET website | |
46 |
Ivibet |
100% Welcome bonus up to €150 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Ivibet website | |
47 |
Qbet |
100% Welcome bonus up to €100 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Qbet website | |
48 |
Luckster |
Bet £10 & Get £10 in Free Bets 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Luckster website | |
49 |
Betonic |
100% Welcome bonus up to €100 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Betonic website | |
50 |
Novibet |
Welcome bonus up to €50 in Free Bets 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Novibet website | |
51 |
Bwin |
Range of promos including app-only 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Bwin website | |
52 |
bet365 |
Trusted sportsbook Bet €10 & Get €30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required. 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to bet365 website | |
53 |
William Hill |
Lots of betting markets 18+ ONLY, T&Cs APPLY 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to William Hill website | |
54 |
22Bet |
100% Welcome bonus up to 122 EUR 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to 22Bet website | |
55 |
10bet |
100% Welcome bonus up to €50 18+ ONLY, T&Cs APPLY, Play Responsibly 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to 10bet website | |
56 |
Yonibet |
Lots of pre-match events 18+ ONLY, T&Cs APPLY 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Yonibet website | |
57 |
Ditobet |
100% Welcome bonus up to €200 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Ditobet website | |
58 |
EmirBet |
100% Welcome bonus up to €100 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to EmirBet website | |
59 |
Rabona |
100% Welcome Bonus up to €100 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Rabona website | |
60 |
NetBet |
Bet €10 & Get €20 in Free Bets 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to NetBet website | |
61 |
Powbet |
100% Welcome bonus up to €100 18+ ONLY, T&Cs APPLY 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Powbet website | |
62 |
Bettilt |
Welcome bonus up to €200 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to Bettilt website | |
63 |
BillyBets |
100% Welcome bonus up to €100 18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org |
BET HERE Go to BillyBets website |
Best Irish Betting Sites by Category
Sports betting sites are not all the same. Whether you're looking for the best odds or top bonuses, in this betting sites guide, we'll take a look at which Irish betting sites are best in the categories that matter to punters.
☘️ Best Betting Site in Ireland | William Hill |
🎁 Best Welcome Bonus Offer | Luckster |
⚽️ Best Live Football Betting Site | Bet365 |
💯 Best Odds Betting Site | Boomerang Bet |
🆕 Best New Betting Site | Lunubet |
Table of Contents
- Irish Betting Sites
- How to choose the best betting site
- Top 10 Irish Betting Sites
- Best Features of Irish Betting Sites
- Best Online Betting Sites for Popular Sports in Ireland
- How We Rank Betting Sites in Ireland
- The Best Betting Site Offers & Exclusive Promotions
- Popular Payment Methods Overview in Ireland
- How to Gamble Responsibly on Betting Sites
- Is online betting legal in Ireland?
- Expert Opinion on the Best Betting Sites in Ireland
- FAQ
Top 10 Irish Betting Sites
So, when it comes to Irish betting sites in 2024, which are the best? We've listed ten of the best bookmakers, all of which we have thoroughly checked, so you can be sure they offer a top betting experience.
1. bet365
One of the best Irish online bookmakers, Bet365 launched in 2000, and holds licences from the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission. Check out any bet365 review to see how popular it is.
Bet365 give you over 30 sports to bet on, and it's one of the best sites for GAA events, along with football, rugby and American football. There are more than 10,000 live betting markets every month, plus top coverage of esports including LoL, COD, and FIFA.
The bet365 welcome bonus is €50 in free bets and there are some attractive ongoing promotions, including odds boosts and features such as Bet Builder.
Payment options include Visa, Skrill and Neteller, and there's a €5 minimum and €150,000 maximum deposit. We found some online complaints about withdrawal speeds, but after taking a closer look, we found there were no issues. We used Neteller and our winnings came through in under an hour.
- Advantages
- 10,000+ live events monthly
- 24/7 customer support
- Live stream options
- Limitations
- Crypto not accepted
- Site looks dated
2. William Hill
Check out a William Hill review and you'll see that it has been around since 1934. It holds licences from the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission and has flourished in the internet era.
It gives punters 33 sports to bet on and it is particularly strong on horse racing, covering every racing event. There is an extensive range of esports markets and when it comes to odds, William Hill has some low margins of around 6% on the big football events.
For Irish punters, the welcome bonus is a €30 free bet when you bet €10, and there are ongoing promotions linked to current events, although disappointingly, there is no VIP program.
There are plenty of payment options including Paysafecard, Skrill, Trustly and Apple Pay, and there's a minimum deposit of €5 with the maximum of €99,000. We found some online comments suggesting William Hill can be obstructive with withdrawals, but our experience was that withdrawals were processed without issue. We also tried the William Hill app, which was easy to navigate and offered a great overall experience.
Overall, this is a bookmaker steeped in history that offers a first-class experience.
- Advantages
- 33 Sports to bet on
- €30 free bets
- €5 minimum deposit
- Limitations
- No VIP program
- No crypto options
3. Boomerang Bet
Before we jump into this Boomerang Bet review, we should say this is a new bookmaker that launched in 2023. Being a new betting site, it has not had time to establish a reputation, although it does have a licence from Curacao, and we found it to be a reliable operator.
Boomerang is very strong on live betting. It offers more than 5,000 live events every month and there is also an early cashout option, although there is no live streaming. There are over 30 sports to bet on, and the focus is on football, racing and GAA, with an impressive range of tournament coverage.
The welcome bonus is a 100% refund up to a maximum €500 on your first bet if it loses, although there is a x40 wagering requirement on this bonus.
Online feedback appears to be positive, and we were pleased to see that the banking system, which operates smoothly, accepts cryptocurrencies, although withdrawal options are limited and the minimum deposit is a little high at €20.
- Advantages
- 100% refund offer
- Great mobile app
- 5,000 live events
- Limitations
- No live streaming
- Limited withdrawal options
4. Hot.bet
As our Hot.bet review shows, this bookmaker was launched in 2020 and is another betting site with a Curacao licence. The site offers over 30 sports and average margins work out at around 5.8%. There’s a strong live betting section too although unfortunately, there’s no live stream.
The site covers all the main sports and betting markets, including a comprehensive selection of esports to explore. The welcome bonus is a 100% match up to €100 and there's a reload offer that enables you to claim 50% up to €50, another €25 free bet, and €50 of free bet tokens.
The minimum deposit is €10 with the maximum set at over €42,000, and you can choose from an array of banking options including Skrill, Neteller and cryptocurrencies. The downside comes after your first withdrawal of the month, however, as fees are added at between 5% and 8%.
This is an Irish sportsbook that we really enjoyed exploring. If you give it a go, we’re sure that you’ll be impressed with the betting markets, while the site itself not only looks good but is easy to use.
- Advantages
- 50% reload offer
- 30+ sports
- Curacao license
- Limitations
- No live stream
- Football odds not competitive
5. TonyBet
TonyBet is another top Irish bookmaker and this TonyBet review showcases a respected operator that has been around for over a decade. Fully licensed by the authorities in Estonia, it is promoted by footballing legend Tony Cascarino, and the site is known for its comical adverts.
So what stands out at TonyBet? There are 39 sports to bet on, including plenty of esports, and there are more than 2,000 markets available, which means there's always something new to explore. The in-play section is diverse and TonyBet offers live streaming of football, rugby and tennis to support their live betting.
The welcome bonus is a 100% match up to €100, and you can make your deposit using up to 20 banking methods, including cryptocurrency, with the minimum deposit being only €1 and the maximum €100,000.
We found some comments about the TonyBet app crashing, but we found no problems with the iOS version after using it extensively. The biggest selling point here, however, is the VIP program. Earn points and you can progress through six tiers to earn free bets and special offers.
- Advantages
- 2,000+ betting markets
- Live streaming
- Low minimum deposit – €1
- Limitations
- Awkward navigation
- No horse racing
6. Sportaza
If you check out a Sportaza review you'll see this bookmaker was launched in 2019, with a licence from Curacao, so now has a good few years of experience under its belt.
It covers most of the popular sports, along with niche sports such as surfing and futsal. We were impressed with the in-play and live-streaming options, but what really stands out are the horse racing markets, which come with a best odds guaranteed assurance. There's also plenty of esports including less mainstream options such as Valorant, Rainbow 6, and Starcraft 2.
Sportaza has Irish sports punters covered with a welcome bonus of a 100% match up to €100, along with plenty of ongoing promotions, including boosted odds and a 10% weekly cashback.
You can make deposits with Visa, MasterCard and bank transfer. You can also choose to use a range of cryptocurrencies. The minimum deposit is €10 and the maximum is €5,000. We like the fact that any withdrawal requests are actioned almost immediately and that funds reach you within an hour.
- Advantages
- Best horse racing odds
- 10% cashback
- Crypto accepted
- Limitations
- No mobile app
- Poor tennis odds
7. Qbet
Qbet is another top online bookmaker choice. Holding a licence from Curacao, It has been around since 2022 and has expanded rapidly in a short time.
You may be surprised when you read this Qbet review to find that there is no sportsbook welcome bonus. Casino customers earn a 100% deposit match, but sports fans seem to have been neglected. There is, however, a 5% cashback offer each week along with the chance to earn a €5 free bet on every football match day.
Football fans are particularly well served, with over 300 markets, and the site has plenty of in-play betting opportunities with cashout options, although there's no live streaming. We were particularly impressed by the thriving esports section that includes titles like Rainbow 6 and Mobile legends.
When it comes to payment options, you can choose from a range of e-wallets and cryptocurrencies, with the minimum deposit set at €10 and the maximum at €10,000.
This bookmaker grabbed our attention due to its sheer number of betting markets, and this more than makes up for the lack of a standard welcome bonus.
- Advantages
- 5% weekly cashback
- €5 weekly free bet
- 300+ football markets
- Limitations
- No sportsbook welcome bonus
- No live stream
8. Luckster
Luckster was launched in 2021 and offers both sports betting and an online casino. Its licence comes from the Malta Gaming Authority, one of the most respected in the business.
When compiling this Luckster review, we were impressed with the current welcome bonus of a 100% match up to a maximum of €100 for new customers, and the ACCA Boost that can boost your bet by as much as 77%.
There are more than 35 sports to bet on here, and the horse racing section is particularly in-depth. There is a thriving live betting section, although we feel that live streaming options would further enhance this part of the site. We were also pleased to see that Luckster has paid attention to esports given how popular they’re becoming, although their selection of esports markets could be expanded.
The minimum deposit is €10 and there are a variety of payment options including Visa, PayPal, Skrill and Neteller, and the maximum deposit is limited only by the method of payment you choose, making this a great site for high rollers who bet responsibly.
- Advantages
- €100 welcome bonus
- 77% Acca boost
- 35+ sports
- Limitations
- No mobile app
- No live stream
9. Spreadex
Spreadex is the top choice for spread betting. Founded in 1999, reading any Spreadex review shows it is the only bookmaker offering both spreads and fixed odds. It holds a licence from the UK Gambling Commission, and is also regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
The market selection is impressive and overall margins are around 5.7%, although you have to remember that spread betting is a unique experience and odds can vary significantly. Spread betting can be tricky for newcomers, but the site has a useful help centre, and the customer support agents are friendly and efficient.
Spreadex comes up trumps with its welcome bonus. New customers can claim five €5 fixed odds bets, four €5 spread bets and 50 free spins on the Starburst slot. There are also plenty of ongoing promotions, including rewards for referring friends to the site.
The site has limited payment options, offering just the basics of Visa, MasterCard and bank transfer, with a minimum deposit of €10, and no maximum. Overall, however, this is a unique site that is worth a look.
- Advantages
- €50 of free bets
- Spread betting and fixed odds
- 40+ sports
- Limitations
- Dated site
- Limited payment methods
10. 10bet
Launched in 2003, this 10bet review shows that it has a coveted UK Gambling Commission licence, which is one of the most respected gambling licences in the world.
10bet has more than 30 sports to bet on, including more niche areas such as politics and there is an excellent esports section to explore. Average margins across the site are around 6.9%, which are satisfactory, although their in-play odds are less competitive.
10bet goes big on its sports betting offers and you can find a welcome bonus of a 100% match up to a €50 maximum. There are also plenty of smaller bonuses covering horse racing, football, cricket and greyhounds. It is particularly pleasing to see smaller sports such as greyhound racing attracting bonuses.
When it comes to making a deposit, the minimum amount is €10 and can be made using common e-wallets as well as Visa and bank transfer. The maximum you can deposit is €50,000. This all adds to what is a great bookie experience and leads us to recommend 10bet highly.
- Advantages
- UK Gambling Commission licence
- Multiple ongoing offers
- 30+ sports
- Limitations
- No app
- Customer support not 24/7
Best Features of Irish Betting Sites
When looking at the biggest and best Ireland betting sites, there are certain betting features that make them stand out from others around the world. Let’s take a look at the top features that these betting sites offer:
- Focus on horse racing: Betting sites Ireland-based maintain a strong focus on horse racing. Why? Well, as you probably already know, horse racing is huge in Ireland and Irish bookies go all out to cater for this passion. Bookmakers in Ireland offer the best horse racing betting sites, with in-depth coverage, live streams and competitive odds.
- Mobile betting: Online betting sites in Ireland cater for customers who demand an outstanding mobile experience. The best betting app Ireland allows you to enjoy all of the action on the go. Even when there is no betting app available, the best online betting sites in Ireland are optimised for mobile so that you can bet via your browser.
- Gaelic Games: Online sports betting in Ireland also comes with a great range of betting options for fans of Gaelic sports. This means that you’ll find a variety of GAA markets, particularly for Gaelic football and hurling. These sports are hugely popular across the country and Irish bookies offer the best GAA odds.
Best Online Betting Sites for Popular Sports in Ireland
Sports betting is hugely popular across Ireland, but some sports are more popular than others and any sports betting site that wants to establish itself in the Irish market has to be sure that it is covering these options. In this section we look at the biggest betting sports in Ireland and highlight the best bookmakers for each.
Best sites for horse racing betting
Horse racing is a hugely popular sport across Ireland and any bookmaker that wants to be taken seriously by Irish punters has to focus on providing a quality racing product.
🏆 William Hill | One of the best betting sites in Ireland, it has full coverage of all horse racing | |
Sportaza | A horse-racing friendly site that offers Best Odds Guaranteed on racing markets | |
Luckster | Comprehensive horse racing hub including a thriving live betting section |
Best sites for GAA betting
The Gaelic Athletic Association is the organisation that oversees the thriving Gaelic sports scene in Ireland, and these events are often categorised under the GAA label.
🏆 Boomerang Bet | Comprehensive coverage of all GAA events and a full range of markets | |
bet365 | Biggest selection of GAA live betting markets, along with live streaming | |
William Hill | Live betting on all GAA events and useful stats suite |
Best sites for rugby betting
Rugby Union is one of the biggest sports in Ireland, and Irish provinces Leinster and Munster are among the big guns in European rugby, so new Irish betting sites always have to perform well on this sport.
🏆 SpreadEx | One of the best rugby betting platforms around with a huge selection of spread options | |
bet365 | A huge selection of rugby betting markets and selected live streaming | |
10Bet | Margins of around 6% for major rugby match winner markets |
Best sites for football betting
Football is number one when it comes to sports betting Ireland and Irish punters bet on everything from domestic football to the major international events such as the World Cup.
🏆 bet365 | The go-to site for football betting, covering every football event you can think of | |
William Hill | A long established football betting site that offers loads of football stats and information | |
QBet | A new site that offers plenty of football betting promotions for Irish punters |
Best sites for hurling betting
Hurling is one of the most popular sports in Ireland, and all betting websites in Ireland should provide a full range of markets for the big hurling events. Look for sites that cover not just the All-Ireland tournament, but that also offer markets on the Joe McDonagh Cup and the National Hurling League.
How We Rank Betting Sites in Ireland
It has to be said that, when it comes to choosing an Irish bookmaker, everyone has their own wants and needs. While we’ve already covered each of the best bookies in detail, the reality is that we cover a great deal of ground before we get round to recommending a site. If you want to know exactly what goes into this, then keep reading:
-
Bonuses and promotions
When it comes to the best sportsbooks in Ireland, a key factor we consider is their welcome offers. These will usually be in the form of matched deposits, free bets or refunds. We also look for ongoing offers, including special promotions on certain sporting events, cashback offers, or reloads. To save time on finding the best welcome bonuses, just check out our list of bookmakers.
-
Licensing & security
The biggest factor when rating a bookie is their licence. We need to see that they have a licence from a respected authority like the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority. If there's no licence, you may have no comeback if a bookie fails to payout or if there are any other disputes, as you won't be able to refer it to the Independent Betting Adjudication Service (IBAS).
-
Betting market variety
The best bookmakers will come with hundreds, if not thousands, of betting markets to explore. When we rank a site, we delve into the details of each sport and assess the markets that are available. This means that we can help you to get to the bookies with the most to offer. The more variety there is, the more there is to keep you entertained.
-
Payment methods & payout speed
We also look into the banking section and the number of payment methods available. While the likes of Visa and MasterCard are secure methods, we also like to see e-wallets and crypto. These methods add an extra layer of security and, in our experience, usually lead to faster payouts. In fact, with crypto it is usually instant and with e-wallets it can be just as fast.
The Best Betting Site Offers & Exclusive Promotions
When choosing a sportsbook in Ireland, one of the first things people will look at are the available offers and promotions. Why? Well, when these come your way they can help to make your money go that much further. They can boost your balance and reduce your risk. Here’s a look at some of the most popular offers you’ll come across:
Free bets
A free bet is sometimes offered as a welcome bonus, but can be awarded at any time. One example of the latter is an offer in which you bet €15 on tennis and earn a €5 free tennis bet. Free bets are a great way to explore events you wouldn’t normally bet on, or to take a punt on an underdog.
Bear in mind that free bets have terms and conditions. These include an expiry date, minimum odds requirements and other rules. When you win with a free bet, the value of the bet isn’t included in your winnings. For example, if you had a €5 free bet and from that you won €10, you would get €5 overall.
Deposit match bonuses
Matched deposits are a common form of welcome bonus, but also often come as part of a reload. These work by offering you free bet funds based on the size of your deposit, though the free bets can be paid out in various ways.
For example, let's say you had a deposit match bonus of 100% up to €100. The €100 bonus could be credited straight away, or released in instalments or after conditions have been met. While we are big fans of matched deposits, it is important to be fully aware of the terms and conditions before you claim them.
Cashback offers
We love cashback offers as these act to soften the blow of a losing bet. Often, cashback is given on a weekly or monthly basis. Cashbacks are not technically cash, but credits applied to your account to enable you to place more bets.
It’s important not to confuse cashback with cashout. A cashout option relates to in-play betting where you pull your bet early. As an example, let’s say your chosen team has a one goal lead and there are 10 minutes to go. In this case, you could cashout your bet and still win. However, the win won’t be as big as it could have been if you’d seen the event through to the end.
Accumulator boosts
If you like multi-leg bets then accumulator boosts can work well for you. They lead to bigger winnings the more selections that you win. We are fans of using this option particularly on major horse racing events such as Cheltenham.
A good example is the 77% Acca Boost offered at Luckster. Here, you’d need to select at least four bets. If they all win, the odds and winnings are calculated as normal and then the boost is applied. Keep in mind that accumulator boosts will often have restrictions on the number of selections you can include. They will also have restrictions on the odds used. Just be sure to check out the terms and conditions before you wager.
Popular Payment Methods Overview in Ireland
Payment methods in Ireland vary from the slowest and most secure, such as Bank Transfers, which can take up to seven days to transfer, up to the latest in instant-deposit e-wallet methods and cryptocurrencies. So which one is right for you?
PayPal
There are many Irish betting sites that accept PayPal. It's a method that's ideal for people who like the convenience and security of not having to enter card details for every transaction. PayPal transactions are also fast. Most PayPal transactions are instant. If you do opt for PayPal, bear in mind that some site bonuses aren't available to PayPal users.
Visa and Mastercard
You won't ever have problems using Visa or Mastercard at an Irish betting site. These are the most common and for many people the most reliable forms of deposit and withdrawals. These long-established methods come with plenty of protections and they offer withdrawal and deposit times that range from one to three days.
Neteller
Using Neteller as a payment method also comes with benefits. Just as with PayPal, there is no need to share your financial information with the site so there is both convenience and security. You’ll also find that deposits and withdrawals are fast when you use this option, although there is a 2.99% transaction fee to consider.
Paysafecard
Paysafecard can be a good option for those who don't want to give their bank details to a betting site. Simply put money onto your card and use it make deposits and withdrawals. Transactions are usually processed quickly, although you may find that this form of payment is not accepted at all Irish betting sites.
How to Gamble Responsibly on Betting Sites
Sports betting is fun but for some it can be a problem. Figures from the National Drug Library show that, in 2022, 49% of the adult population gambled in Ireland, and 12,000 people experienced problems. To help you to stay safe and ensure you don't develop a gambling addiction, please read our safe gambling tips:
Tips for responsible gambling
- Never bet with money that you cannot afford to lose
- Place strict time limits on your gambling
- Never gamble while drinking
- Never chase your losses
- Never look on gambling as a solution to financial problems.
Support for problem gamblers
- Extern: Offers free counselling and support on 07537 188 575.
- Gambling Addicts Annonymous: A gambling support group you can contact via helpline@agaais.org
- Gambling Care: A website full of resources and an in-person counselling option. Call 1 800 936 725.
Is Online Betting Legal in Ireland?
Online betting is legal in Ireland right now, and will continue to be so. This means that you can legally place sports bets and play casino games (as long as you’re at least 18). Both offshore and domestic sites can be accessed as long as they hold the appropriate licence.
Currently, online operators need to hold a remote bookmaker’s licence. These are issued by the Revenue Commissioner and fall under the Betting Act 2015. However, at some point in 2024, gambling laws will change and see updates to the licensing requirements.
Proposals have been agreed to set up a dedicated gambling regulator, known as the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland. This new body will issue all licences and will be responsible for ensuring that operators adhere to rules and regulations. This is all good news for gamblers as it will lead to an even more secure environment to gamble in.
How to stay safe betting online
- Beware of unlicensed sites
- Research any site you use
- Set a budget and stick to it
- Use secure payment methods
- Understand bonus terms
- Use strong passwords
- Use 2FA where possible